Federal Indictment Targets 11 Hoover Criminal Gang Members in Major Sex Trafficking Operation

Los Angeles, California – Federal authorities have indicted eleven alleged members and associates of the South Los Angeles-based Hoover Criminal Gang on charges related to an extensive sex trafficking operation that exploited minors and young women along the city's Figueroa Corridor. The charges, announced in August 2025, follow a comprehensive investigation into the gang's activities, which included racketeering conspiracy and the trafficking of individuals, some as young as 14. This significant takedown marks a concerted effort to dismantle organized crime within the region.

The 31-count indictment alleges that from February 2021 to August 2025, the Hoover Criminal Gang controlled sex trafficking and prostitution in the Figueroa Corridor. Gang members allegedly acted as pimps, using force, fraud, and coercion to manage victims, including runaways and those from the foster care system. Victims were reportedly recruited through social media, branded with tattoos, and subjected to violence if they did not comply.

Amaya Armstead, 25, identified as the de facto leader of the 112 set of the Hoover Criminal Gang, is accused of sex trafficking a 14-year-old girl. Other defendants face charges ranging from sex trafficking of minors and drug trafficking conspiracy to money laundering and conspiracy to straw purchase firearms. If convicted, some individuals could face a minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison, underscoring the severity of the alleged crimes.

This federal action comes amidst ongoing concerns about gang-related violence in South Los Angeles. Recent incidents, including a deadly shooting in late August 2025 on Century Boulevard and Main Street, and another near 80th Street and Hoover Street, have been investigated as potentially gang-related. These events highlight the persistent challenges posed by criminal organizations like the Hoover Criminals, known for their violent history and involvement in various illicit activities.

Journalists Clara Harter and Matthew Ormseth, both associated with the Los Angeles Times, have extensively covered crime and justice issues in the region, including gang activity and federal investigations. Their reporting provides crucial insights into the broader context of such criminal enterprises and the efforts by law enforcement to address them. The Hoover Criminal Gang, originating in the 1960s, has a long-standing reputation for violence and drug trafficking, extending its influence beyond Los Angeles to areas like Portland, Oregon, where members have also faced federal charges for murder and racketeering.